Catholics, be on guard to Common Core in our schools: PennLive letters

The Catholic community within the Diocese of Harrisburg should know that, unlike the public schools, using Common Core in our Catholic Schools is NOT mandatory. What might surprise you is that most of the Harrisburg Diocesan schools are voluntarily adapting Common Core into their curriculum through materials and the continuing education of our teachers. The decision to do so was made with little or no parental input or involvement.

It is unclear at this time where our new Bishop, Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, stands on the issue. The Diocese of Pittsburg and the Cardinal Newman Society are but a few of the many Catholic organizations that strongly oppose the Common Core Initiative.

To this day, many parents we’ve spoken with, who have children attending Catholic Schools throughout Lancaster County, are not even aware that Common Core is in our schools. Perhaps even more alarming is that many of these parents do not have a clear understanding of Common Core.

Because Common Core has a direct and measured effect on our children’s traditional Catholic Education, and their future, it is my great hope that our Catholic community will become informed and take action.

Whether you support or oppose Common Core in our Catholic Schools, I would hope that everyone would agree that the issue NEEDS to be brought into the light.

Using Common Core is an issue that should be open for public discussion. Please contact the Harrisburg Diocese Department of Education and voice that request.